WESTFIELD – A non-profit group that helps transition veterans from homelessness to permanent residences is seeking donations from the public to fill these houses with the items that make them homes.

Stanley Park, in cooperation with Homeward Vets, will host a donation drive on April 20 from 8 a.m. until noon to collect a variety of items, including furniture, dinnerware and cookware, and small appliances such as toasters, microwaves, toaster ovens and coffee makers, just to name a few.

Organizers say cash donations will also be accepted and will be used to purchase gift cards for Big Y and Stop & Shop to help veterans stock their kitchen shelves and refrigerators.

Park director Robert McKean said Homeward Vets helps provide home furnishings to previously homeless veterans who are transitioning into permanent housing, “a huge accomplishment in its own right,” but one that also creates need when they are, in most cases, simply handed keys to an empty apartment “without even the basic necessities.”

“These are veterans that have been chronically homeless and range from single men/women to families with children,” he noted, adding that while they do receive vouchers and subsidies from federally funded programs, the veterans still need help from the Americans they served in duty in order to make these dwellings their homes.

“Now is the time to get going on your spring cleaning and help out a previous homeless veteran,” McKean said.

The donation drive will be held in the parking lot of Stanley Park's Asian garden on Margaret Lane across from the veterans' memorial. For more information, contact at Amy L’Esperance at the park's development office, (413) 572-2900 or Dave Felty, president of Homeward Vets, (413) 203-1479 or send email to info@homewardvets.org.